Method and device for the supply of electrical loads in or on a pneumatic device with electrical power energy

Abstract

A method and a device for the supply of electrical loads in or on a pneumatic device with electrical power energy. The pneumatic device is connected by way of a pneumatic line with a source of pressure. The transmission of power energy to the pneumatic device takes place using acoustic waves, microwaves, changes in pressure or a flow of gas in the pneumatic line. Conversion of such transmitted energy into the electrical supply energy occurs in or on the pneumatic device. This means that electrical lines for electrical power supply may be dispensed with and that the transmission of energy takes place only by way of the pneumatic line.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for supplying electrical power to electrical loads associated with a pneumatic device, the pneumatic device being connected by way of a pneumatic line with a source of pressure for maintaining a gaseous medium under pressure and at a flow rate, said method comprising the steps of: 
       transmitting energy to the pneumatic device through the pneumatic line by at least one of:  
       acoustic waves;  
       microwaves;  
       pressure changes of the gaseous medium; and  
       flow changes of the gaseous medium; and  
       converting said transmitted energy into the electrical power.  
     
     
       2. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a microturbine having an electrical generator converts the pressure of the gaseous medium into the electrical power. 
     
     
       3. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said acoustic waves and said pressure changes of the gaseous medium are: 
       transmitted through the pneumatic line; and  
       converted at least partially into the electrical power by a piezoelectric converter.  
     
     
       4. A method for supplying eletrical power as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said acoustic waves and said pressure changes of the gaseous medium are: 
       transmitted through the pneumatic line; and  
       converted at least partially into the electrical power by at least one of capacitive converter and inductive converter.  
     
     
       5. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said acoustic waves, microwaves and said pressure changes of the gaseous medium are transmitted through the pneumatic line for transmitting at least one of control signals and sensor signals between the pneumatic device and an electronic control and data receiving means. 
     
     
       6. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said transmission of at least one of control signals and sensor signals are provided at a plurality of at least one of frequencies, signal sequences, modulation, and pressure pulse sequences. 
     
     
       7. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of radio and infrared signals are transmitted for transmitting at least one of control signals and sensor signals between the pneumatic device and at least one of an electronic control and data receiving means. 
     
     
       8. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 1 , wherein optical transmitters are arranged along the pneumatic line for transmitting optical signals of at least one of control signals and sensor signals between the pneumatic device and an electronic control and data receiving means. 
     
     
       9. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said optical transmitters are attached within the pneumatic line. 
     
     
       10. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said optical transmitters are attached within the pneumatic line. 
     
     
       11. A method for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the transmission occurs bidirectionally. 
     
     
       12. A device for supplying electrical power to electrical loads associated with a pneumatic device, the pneumatic device being connected by way of a pneumatic line with a source of pressure for maintaining a gaseous medium under pressure and at a flow rate, said device comprising: 
       a conversion means for converting energy transmitted through the pneumatic line into the electrical power, said energy being transmitted by at least one of:  
       acoustic waves;  
       microwaves;  
       pressure changes of the gaseous medium; and  
       flow changes of the gaseous medium.  
     
     
       13. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the conversion means is provided in the pneumatic device. 
     
     
       14. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the conversion means is provided on the pneumatic device. 
     
     
       15. A device for supplying eletrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said conversion means is a piezoelectric converter configured to convert at least one of acoustic waves and pressure changes of the gaseous medium. 
     
     
       16. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising: 
       an electronic control and data receiving means for converting electrical signals into at least one of acoustic waves and pressure changes of the gaseous medium, said electronic control and data receiving means being connected to the pneumatic device through the pneumatic line and including at least one of:  
       piezoelectric converter;  
       a capacitive converter;  
       inductive converter; and  
       an oscillating piston arrangement.  
     
     
       17. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said conversion means is a capacitive converter configured to convert at least one of acoustic waves and pressure changes of the gaseous medium. 
     
     
       18. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising: 
       an electronic control and data receiving means for converting electrical signals into at least one of acoustic waves and pressure changes of the gaseous medium, said electronic control and data receiving means being connected to the pneumatic device through the pneumatic line and including at least one of:  
       a piezoelectric converter;  
       a capacitive converter;  
       inductive converter; and  
       an oscillating piston arrangement.  
     
     
       19. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said conversion means is an inductive converter configured to convert at least one of acoustic waves and pressure changes of the gaseous medium. 
     
     
       20. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising: 
       an electronic control and data receiving means for converting electrical signals into at least one of acoustic waves and pressure changes of the gaseous medium, said electronic control and data receiving means being connected to the pneumatic device through the pneumatic line and including at least one of:  
       a piezoelectric converter;  
       a capacitive converter;  
       inductive converter; and  
       an oscillating piston arrangement.  
     
     
       21. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said conversion means is an oscillating piston arrangement configured to convert at least one of acoustic waves and pressure charges of the gaseous medium. 
     
     
       22. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
       an electronic control and data receiving means for converting electrical signals into at last one of acoustic waves and pressure changes of the gaseous medium, said electronic control and data receiving means being connected to the pneumatic device through the pneumatic line and including at least one of:  
       a piezoelectric converter;  
       a capacitive converter;  
       inductive converter; and  
       an oscillating piston arrangement.  
     
     
       23. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said conversion means includes a microturbine having an electrical generator for converting the pressure of the gaseous medium into the electrical power. 
     
     
       24. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising a storage means for storing at least a portion of the electrical power produced by said conversion means. 
     
     
       25. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 24 , wherein said storage means is a capacitor. 
     
     
       26. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 24 , wherein said storage means is a storage cell arrangement. 
     
     
       27. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
       an electronic control and data receiving means connected to the pneumatic device through the pneumatic line;  
       at least one first converter for converting electrical signals into at least one of: acoustic signals and pressure changes in the gaseous medium; and  
       at least one second converter for converting at least one of: acoustic signals and pressure changes into electrical signals.  
     
     
       28. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said control and data receiving means is provided with said first converter and said pneumatic device is provided with said second converter. 
     
     
       29. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said control and data receiving means further comprises a second converter and said pneumatic device further comprises a first converter. 
     
     
       30. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 29 , wherein at least said first converter and said second converter are combined to form a bidirectional converter. 
     
     
       31. A device for supplying eletrical power as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said first converter and said second converter are at least one of: 
       a piezoelectric converter;  
       a capacitive converter; and  
       an inductive converter.  
     
     
       32. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 27 , wherein said first converter and said second converter are identical. 
     
     
       33. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
       an electronic control and data receiving means for communicating with the pneumatic device; and  
       a data transmission means for transmitting and receiving signals between the pneumatic device and said electronic control and data receiving means, said signals being transmitted by at least one of infrared signals and radio signals.  
     
     
       34. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
       an electronic control and data receiving means for communicating with the pneumatic device, said electronic control and data receiving means being connected to the pneumatic device through the pneumatic line; and  
       an optical communications means for transmitting and receiving optical signals between the pneumatic device and said electronic control and data receiving means.  
     
     
       35. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the pneumatic device includes: 
       at least one control means for controlling the pneumatic device; and  
       at least one sensor for monitoring the pneumatic device; and said device further comprises:  
       a microcomputer for communicating with both the control means and the sensor.  
     
     
       36. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 35 , wherein said conversion means and said microcomputer are integrated in the pneumatic device. 
     
     
       37. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
       an electronic control and data receiving means for converting electrical signals into at least one of acoustic waves and pressure changes of the gaseous medium, said electronic control and data receiving means being connected to the pneumatic device through the pneumatic line and including:  
       a bus station connected between a data bus and at least one of:  
       a piezoelectric converter;  
       a capacitive converter;  
       an inductive converter; and  
       an oscillating piston arrangement.  
     
     
       38. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 37 , wherein a plurality of pneumatic devices are connected by way of a plurality of pneumatic lines with said control and data receiving means. 
     
     
       39. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 37 , wherein a plurality of control and data receiving means are connected with said data bus, each of said plurality of control and data receiving means being connected with at least one pneumatic device. 
     
     
       40. A device for supplying electrical power as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the pneumatic line is manufactured of flexible plastic material.